relatives

Each year Christmas sneaks up on me. About Halloween, we start planning for our annual Thanksgiving trip. Because we are gone on Thanksgiving and recovering from it after we get back, most years we neglect the lights and decorations. This year is no exception. Sure, we always put up a tree and decorate it, but even this year we've missed most of the ornaments. Some are missing hooks and others are missing altogether; lost somewhere up in the attic amongst the things ready for a garage sale.

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I made it through the holidays more or less intact. But I'm so damn tired of this routine.

I get attitude when I go see my relatives. 10 years I've been married, and I've seen my relatives about 5 times. Half of those are when they came up here, and the others are because I was told that I am delivering presents because my mom is too cheap to mail the things she buys. Nevermind that I've got other things I've planned. Nevermind that the cost in gas equals the cost of mailing them. I've even told her I would mail them at my cost. I was told that I should leave them at my MIL's house. Look, you social moron- two people who have nothing in common and don't know each other, being forced to meet because you are cheap is a social no-no.

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Tomorrow is Deepavali or Diwali, as it is known as. A few days later, it will be 'Hari Raya Aidil Fitri'. The exodus home has begun since last two days.

Quiet towns will be alive again as their children drive home with their families to visit the closest families and relatives. Big cities will be rather quiet, except for the city folks who will still be around. Giant supermarkets and hyperstores will still be opened for business as usual, abeit lesser shoppers.

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My last article mentioned about the festive seasons in Malaysia that will be celebrated back to back; the
'Deepavali' and 'Hari Raya Aidil Fitri'.

Let me also describe a little why going home or 'back kampong' is such a huge phenomenon here. As you see, it may also be the same as going home for the holiday seasons in other countries and cultures.

The younger generations in Malaysia prefer moving away from home and family as there are always plenty of opportunities for them away from from. Then, they settledown and bought properties away from home. All these made homecoming a very important event of the year.

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The kids and I spent the last 2 days at my grandmas. It was really nice to go home to visit for awhile. I think alot of us get nostalgic, and we love visits with our family.

I wouldn't want to move back there and live next door to them, but when I get to visit for a few days it's really great.

Abscense does make the heart grow fonder.